The Big Three can all opt out next summer — though few expect any of them will leave. Will they make that decision after a Three-Heat, the NBA’s first three-peat since 2002?

The Heat should have lost to the Spurs in six last June, the series appeared done before San Antonio melted down in epic fashion. The health of Dwyane Wade is always a concern and the backcourt is weak beyond him, so it is possible this is the last time we see this group as a powerhouse.

Still, this remains the NBA’s top club with its undisputed premier player in LeBron James. We won’t write them off yet and improving on 66 wins is certainly possible with some truly dreadful teams likely to emerge in the East.

If its top two picks, Greg Oden and Michael Beasley, show anything, Miami turns from good to scary.

Can the new-look Rockets come together immediately?

We’ve seen in the past that mega-partnerships like the Dwight Howard-James Harden one formed in Houston often take some time to meld together. Even the Heat didn’t win it all right away, though that team did make the Finals. Houston could do the same, but more likely 2013-14 will be a feeling out process.

The possible change to more Patrick Beverley than Jeremy Lin at the point and uncertainty at power forward also means more adapting for the Rockets, who looked tremendous in the pre-season. This is a talented group at both ends of the floor and Howard looks to be all the way back from his injury woes. They’ll try pairing Omer Asik with Howard at first, but it’s unlikely that works out and eventually, a trade could balance out the roster.

Who rules the West?

It’s a murderers’ row up top.

The Spurs made the Finals, but are getting older. Still, history tells us it would be the wrong call to write them off. The Thunder took a step back and Russell Westbrook is still trying to get healthy, but Kevin Durant remains the league’s most devastating scoring force and the chief reason to like OKC’s chances.

The Clippers are the pick of many to win the West. Chris Paul, the NBA’s premier floor general, directs what should be a top two or three offence and Doc Rivers upgrades the coaching spot significantly.

Memphis lost much of its identity when Lionel Hollins was not brought back and nobody believes enough shooters are on hand to bring balance to a post-oriented offence. But count out these gritty grinders at your folly.

Don’t forget about the flashy Warriors either, who will play some defence thanks to Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut.

Will the tankers get what they want?

Phoenix and Philadelphia have given up before this whole thing even gets rolling. Boston dismantled knowing how strong the 2014 draft class is projected to be and Orlando is biding its time, knowing the same thing.

Will these franchises be rewarded for taking the 2013-14 campaign off in order to look ahead? If there’s such a thing as basketball karma, maybe not.

There’s also the fact that being the NBA’s worst team usually doesn’t pay off in terms of getting the No. 1 overall pick, because of the lottery system. There’s also the risk of alienating fans and players, as well as spreading a losing mentality which often takes years to shake. But it’s worth those risks for many franchises, because gems like Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, Aaron Goodwin, Dante Exum, Jabari Parker and Aaron Gordon are the light at the end of this year’s long, dark tunnel.

Who will win rookie of the year?

There’s no Anthony Davis and there might not even be a Damian Lillard, who took the trophy last year with a Damon Stoudamire-esque season, in part because Davis battled injuries. Look for Davis to emerge as most improved player. Rookie of the year usually has more to do with playing time than future potential. That means No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett’s probably out of the running, because he’ll likely come off Cleveland’s bench.

Victor Oladipo gets the reins in Orland and has to be the favourite. Depending on how long injuries keep them sidelined, Utah’s Trey Burke and Phoenix centre by default Alex Len should be in the mix, along with Charlotte’s Cody Zeller.

What a difference a year makes. Optimism is gone and so is Howard. Steve Nash is fading and who knows how effective Kobe Bryant will be at his age and coming off such a major injury. This group is certainly done as a title contender. We’ll see if the league’s most revered franchise can rebound as it always seems to by hauling in a superstar either via trade or free agency (Kevin Love anyone?) in the next couple of years.

Who will be the most disappointing team?

We were wrong about the Knicks a year ago, but they’re the choice again. Andrea Bargnani’s time as a starter there could already be over, Tyson Chandler’s going to be asked to perform miracles and the inmates seem to be running the asylum (the team kept J.R. Smith’s brother, to keep him and potential free agent Carmelo Anthony happy). Memphis could be poised for a letdown as well and the Nuggets won’t come close to 57 wins again.

Will the Brooklyn experiment work?

Mikhail Prokhorov spent a ton of money on an aging roster and a neophyte head coach in Jason Kidd. He’s thinking title, but it’s hard to see this group having enough in the tank to get by Miami, Chicago and possibly Indiana come playoff time.

The Big Three can all opt out next summer — though few expect any of them will leave. Will they make that decision after a Three-Heat, the NBA’s first three-peat since 2002?

The Heat should have lost to the Spurs in six last June, the series appeared done before San Antonio melted down in epic fashion. The health of Dwyane Wade is always a concern and the backcourt is weak beyond him, so it is possible this is the last time we see this group as a powerhouse. Still, this remains the NBA’s top club with its undisputed premier player in LeBron James. We won’t write them off yet and improving on 66 wins is certainly possible with some truly dreadful teams likely to emerge in the East. If top two picks Greg Oden and Michael Beasley show anything, Miami turns from good to scary.